News Release

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Detectives Seek Victim of Attempted Rape

Los Angeles: Los Angeles detectives have released the photograph of a 19-year-old man who was arrested October 15, 2006, after he tried to rape a young woman in a restroom. While the suspect, Kenneth Williams, is still in custody, detectives have no idea who the victim is. She left the scene without identifying herself.

"Detectives and prosecutors have asked us to release Williams' photograph in the hope that the victim will come forward, or that someone who knows her will phone in a tip," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon. "We're not letting this case go because this is the second similar act by Williams in two years."

After his arrest last October, detectives learned that Williams had a recent conviction for having sex with an 11-year-old girl, in 2005. It did not result in any order for him to register as a sex offender. Williams met the 11-year-old girl at a local community center.

Last October, he met his second victim during an exhibition and dance at the Good Hood Café and Urban Art Gallery. Witnesses saw Williams dancing with the young Black woman. She went into the women's restroom around 2 A.M., and Williams followed her.

According to detectives, the victim was partially disrobed in the stall when Williams told her he wanted sex. "She tried to fight him off, but Williams hit her so hard, she fell against a sink, knocking it over and cutting the woman," Vernon said. The commotion and screams caused Williams to run out of the restroom. Security guards noticed blood on his shirt and detained him for police. Many of the witnesses were so incensed with the crime that the guards had to protect Williams from being harmed.

"All we need is the victim to really make this case" Vernon said. "Our concern is that if released, Williams will be even more emboldened to offend again through a sense of impunity."

Detectives think prior attempts to locate the victim have been in vain because the victim may be underage, 17 to 20 years old, and the crime took place where liquor was being served.

"We think the victim may be afraid to come forward because she was drinking under age," Vernon added. "But that's not our concern. The victim endured a traumatic experience, and we'd like her to help us prevent another victim from having to endure the same or worse."

Witnesses described the victim as a Black woman in her early-to-mid twenties. She was about 5 feet 7 inches tall with braided hair. She was wearing blue jeans, a brown shirt, and black boots at the time of the attempted rape.

Anyone with information about the sought-after victim is asked to call Wilshire Detective Roger Klohr at 213-473-0447. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).